Electrode holder



March 5, 1957 A. H. ADAMS ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed April 22, 1954 2She'etsSheet 1 Fig.3

IN V EN TOR.

ALBERT H. ADAMS BY March 5, 1957 A. H. ADAMS ELECTRODE HOLDER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1954 INVENTOR. ALBERT H. ADAMS UitedStates PatentC) 2,784,293 ELECTRODE HOLDER Albert H. Adams, MapleHeights, Ohio Application April 22, 1954,Serial No. 424,894 8 Claims.(Cl. 219--70) My invention relates to electrical apparatus for meltingmetal through the use of an electric arc. My invention is of the generaltype of devices illustrated in my United States Patents No. 2,526,624and No. 2,527,490.

An object of my invention is the provision of a device of this class inwhich a stream of gas is discharged along an axis which is retained in adefinite relationship to the axis of an electrode utilized in theapparatus.

Another object is the provision of electric arc apparatus in which thedirection of the stream of gas discharge by the apparatus is varied inaccordance with the changed angular positions of the electrode carriedby the apparatus.

Another object is to provide in apparatus of this type a valve mechanismwhich permits a stream of gas to be discharged throughout a range ofpositions in which the electrode may be disposed and which cuts off orterminates the discharge of gas at another position of the electrode.

Another object is the provision of an electrode-holding device whichincludes a gas discharge means arranged to provide for discharge of gasalong the electrode when in certain positions and to cut off orterminate the discharge of gas when the electrode is located in otherpositions.

Another obejct is the provision of a combined electrode holder andgas-discharge mechanism which automatically directs the stream of gas inaccordance with the angular disposition of the electrode and which automatically turns off the discharge of gas upon the electrode beingdisposed in another position.

Another object is the provision of an improved mecha nism for holding anelectrode in a device of this class.

Another object is the provision of an improved arrangement fordischarging the gas stream through a selected one of a plurality oforifices as determined by the position of an electrode carried by thedevice.

Another object is the provision of improved means for clamping anelectrode to an electric arc device or torch and at the same time forthe improved control of the gas discharge utilized with the device.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had byreferring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the preferred form of my device,utilizing an electrode for the melting of metal;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the line 22 ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 3-3 of Figure2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the electrode-engaging member utilizingmy device and being impartial crosssection;

Figure 5 is an end view of the electrode-engaging de vice shown inFigure 4;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of my device andshowing how the device is initially positioned close to a metalworkpiece to start the are, then raised upwardly to extend the arc, andthen-swung around 2 to direct the gas stream into the pool of moltenmetal formed by the heat of the electric arc;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of my device with thecross-pin and springs of the clamp removed in an exploded arrangementfor purposes of illustration;

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the line of Figure7 but showing the cross-pin and springs mounted in their proper positionrather than separated as in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a sectionalview of my device taken through the line 9-9 ofFigure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken through the line 10-10 of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the electrode-engaging memberutilized in the modified form of my device illustrated in Figures 7 and8; and

Figure 12 is a perspective view ofanother modified form of an engagingmember.

As is known in the art, defects and foreign substances in ferrouscastings may be removed by electrically melting the metal at the area ofthe defect or foreign body with an electric arc and by discharging astream of gas upon the pool of molten metal to oxidize and blow away themolten metal. The gas utilized may be oxygen or air containing oxygen.in some other uses or my device, an inert gas may be utilized to smotherthe area of the molten metal. I use the term gas in its broadest senseso as to include air as well as pure gases. it is desired that thestream of gas be so controlled that the axis of the stream may bedirected toward the pool of molten metal across the electric arc.Preferably, the orifice or discharge opening for the gas is directed ina definite relationship to the axis of the electrode so that theoperator by shifting the axis of the electrode may also shift the axisof the gas stream. The length of the electrode extending from the devicemay also be determined relative to the location of the orifice so as toprovide the angularity desired, and particularly the relationship of thegas stream relative to the electric arc.

My device permits the electrode to be swung in an arc through severalpositions while continuing the stream of gas through this range ofpositions and also permits the electrode to be swung to an inactiveposition, which movement automatically cuts off or terminates thedischarge of gas from the discharge orifice or opening.

In the preferred form of my device, there is an arm or elongated member11 of electrical-conducting material. A clamp bar 12 is arranged inspaced relationship therefrom at the operating end of the device. Thereis an insulating strip 13 secured to the elongated member 11 and aninsulating strip 14 secured to the clamp bar 12 by means of the screws15. The strips l3 and 1d are of a suitable material which is bothelectrical insulating and heat insulating in character. At the rear endof the device, there is a handle 16 of suitable non-conducting materialwhich may be grasped and held by the operator using the device.

An electric cable 17 enters the rear of the device and is in electricalconnection with the arm r member 11 so as to carry electric current tothe forward end of the device. A hose 18 is adapted to be connected to asource of suitable gas and connects to a valve member 19. The valvemember 19 is connected to a gas conduit 24 which extends forwardlythrough the device and communicates with a longitudinal gas conduit 32formed within and extending longitudinally of the arm or elongatedmember 11.

The clamp bar 12 is hinge/31y carried by the arm 21 by means of a hingeassembly 22 in such manner that the clamp bar 12 may rock or swingthereon relative to the arm 11. A spring assembly 21 is interposedbetween the member 11 and the member 12in such manner as to resilientlyurge outwardly the rear end of the clamp side of a carbon electrode 23.This carbon electrode 23 is resiliently clamped between the flat innerface of the bar 12 and the concave surface 23 of the engaging member 27.

The forward end of the electrode 23 shown in working position in Figure1 may be held spaced from a metal workpiece 24 so that an electric are26 extending between the electrode 23 and the workpiece 24 melts andforms a crater of molten metal in the workpiece 24. The workpiece 24 isconnected in electrical circuit with the electric current flowing to theelectrode 23 from the electric cable 17. p 1

A pivoted connection between the engaging member 27 and the member 11 isprovided by an internally threaded pin brazed or otherwise connected tothe member 27 so as to extend therefrom. A threaded screw bolt 36engaged in the pin 35 holds the engaging member 27 to the member 11 insuch manner as to permit the engaging member to pivot relative theretoand thus to permit the electrode 23 to swing in an are through variousangular positions relative to the device.

A discharge orifice or outlet 29 is positioned in the member 27 in sucha manner that the axis'of' the gas stream coming from the orifice 29extends along and at a small angle to the axis of the electrode, thisaxis being in the order of an included angle of approximately two tofour degrees. This provides that the stream of gas may be directed so asto intercept the'electric arc and stream into the crater 25 of moltenmetal.

The angular disposition of the parts relative to the electrode, the gasstream, the electric arc, and the surface of the metal workpiece isillustrated in a diagrammatic manner in Figure 6. In this view, the axisof the gas stream is indicated by the reference character 30.

The varying positions of the electrode in use are shown in Figure 6 inthat the electrode 23 is first held in close proximity to the workpieceso as to initiate the electric arc, then raised upwardly to lengthen theelectric arc, and then swung around at another angle so as to direct theaxis of the gas stream downwardly into the crater 25 of molten metal tooxidize the metal and to blow it away from the operator.

Gas reaches the orifice 29 of the member 27 so as to be dischargedtherefrom at various angular positions of the electrode relative to themember 11 by means of an arcuate slot or port 34 on the face or surfaceof member 27 abutting and in sliding engagement with the inner face ofthe member 11. This arcuate slot or port 34 is in communication with theorifice 29 so that gas entering the slot or port 34 is dischargedthrough the orifice 29. A round port 33 extending laterally of themember 11 communicates with the longitudinal gas conduit 32, extendingto the member 11 from the conduit 20 entering the device from the valve19. The arrangement of the round port 33 and'the arcuate port 34 is suchthat they register and are in direct communication with each otherthrough a range of positions of the member 27 as the member 27 ispivoted by the swinging of the electrode 23. There is, however, aposition of the member 27 in which the round port 33 does notcommunicate with the arcuate port 34 and in which theround port 33 isclosed or cut off by the fiat inner surface 'of the member 27.Preferably, the cut oif or closed position of the ports 33 and 34 isarranged at the location where the engaging member 27 is turned when theelectrode 23 is swung so that its working end or point is pointeddownwardly and rearwardly toward the operator. Thus, when the electrode23'is in the position shown in Figure 1, the ports 33 and 34 are incommunication and gas is discharged through the orifice 29. Also becauseof the lengthened or arcuate form of the port 34, the discharge of gaswill continue through a considerable range of angular positions of theelectrode 23. However, when the electrode 23 is swung to a positionsubstantially at right angles to the position shown in Figure 1 so thatthe point from which the arc is derived is pointed toward rather thanaway from the operator, then communication between the ports 33 and 34is terminated and the flow of gas ceases. The arrangement of theengaging member 27 with the structure shown and the member 11 with thestructure shown is such that a constant delivery of gas is maintainedthrough the desired operating range of the electrode so that the gas isautomatically turned off and the discharge is terminated upon moving theelectrode to another position. In this way, the engaging member 27operates both as a valve, a gas discharge means, and anelectrode-engaging member.

A modified form of my device is illustrated in Figures 7 to 11inclusive. Here the electrode 23 is clamped to the device by anotherstructural arrangement. An arm or elongated member 33 in this modifiedform of device has a suitable insulating strip 39 secured thereto so asto give both electrical and heat protection. An electrodeengaging member41 is pivotally carried by the member 38 by having an extending or neckportion 41-a extending through an opening in the member 33 near theforward end thereof. A screw 57 holds the neck portion 41-a in positionso as to hold the member 41 on the .upon proper positioning of thedevice to direct the gas member 38 and at the same time to permit itsrotation relative to the member 38.

A clamping member 42 is carried by the engaging member 41 in such manneras to hold an electrode 23 therebetween in a recess provided by opposedinner surfaces, as shown in Figure 8. An insulating strip 43 is securedto the outer or top surface of the member 41 and an insulating strip 44is secured to the outer or top surface of the member 42 by screws 45.

Means are provided to resiliently urge the member 42 toward the member41 and to yieldingly clamp an electrode therebetween and at the sametime to provide variation in the resilient yielding force holding themembers together. A bolt 46 connects the members 42 and 41 together, asshown in the drawing. A first spring 47 being under compression urgesthe head of the bolt 46 to the left in Figure 8 and a spring 48 alsounder compression, abutting a shoulder 53 of member 42 and an innersurface of member 41, urges members 41 and 42 apart. The springs 47 and48 are mounted upon and concentric with the bolt 46. The head of thebolt 46 abuts against an end wall 52 of the member 42. There is formedon the outside of the member 41, around the opening in which the bolt 46is positioned, a camming abutment or surface 51. A camming head 49 issecured to the outer end of the bolt 46 by a cross-pin St Therelationship of the camming head 49 and the camming abutment 51 is suchthat upon turning of the bolt 46, through seizing and rotating the head47, the bolt 46 is cammingly moved outwardly and held in one position.

Upon grasping the head 49 to rotate the bolt 46 through a ISO-degreeturn, the opposed camming surfaces permit the bolt 46 to move inwardlyor to the left in Figure 8 and to thus vary the resilient hold of thespring 47 upon the electrode 23. The balance of the compressive forcesbetween the springs 47 and 48 is such that there is always a slight pullinward or to the left in Figure 8 to hold the camming surfaces together,but also at the same time to maintain a resilient grasp upon theelectrode 23 positioned between the members 41 and 42. The arrangementthus provides for a continued resilient and yielding grasp on anelectrode and at the same time an adjustment to vary the resilientyielding grasp to facilitate the insertion and removal of electrodes andthe changing of the position of electrodes by the members 41 and 42.There is a longitudinal gas conduit 54 through the elongated member 38.This conduit 54 is in communia.

.jss in cation with a source of .gas connected to the device at the rearof the device, such as shown in the preferred form of Figure 1. At theforward end of the member 38 there are seven small orifices or dischargeoutlets 55 radiating outwardly at the arcuate end of member 38. Thesedischarge orifices 55 are adapted to communicate with the longitudinalconduit 54. There is an opening 56 extending through the neck portion41-a. This neck portion 41-a thus is a valve control member forcontrolling the flow of gas from conduit 54 to a selected one of theorifices or discharge outlets 55.

In the angement shown in Figures 9 and 10, the

ember and its neck portion 41--a are pivoted so that the intermediateorifice 55 in direct line with the conduit 54 communicates throughopening 56 with the conduit 5'4. All the other orifices 55 are out 01ffrom the conduit 54 by the body of the neck portion 41-a of member 41.By pivoting the assembled members 41 and 42 so as to rotate the neckportion dl-a in'the opening of member 38, any selected one of theorifices 55 may be placed in communication with the gas conduit 54. Bythe arrangement shown, gas may be discharged in adesired directionrelative to the angular disposition of an electrode held by the memberst and 42. Also by pivoting the members 41 and d2 relative to the member38, the discharge of gas may be terminated through having the opening 56of the neck portion 41a turned so as not to communicate with any of theorifices 55.

To facilitate the positive positioning of opening 56 with one of theseveral orifices 55, or in a definite position not in registration withany of the orifices, there is provided a spring-biased detent ball 58which may fit into any one of a plurality of recesses 60 formed in theopposed surfaces of member 4t. If there are eight positions, includingseven discharge positions and one closed position, then there would bepreferably eight sockets or recesses in which the ball 58 may beselectively positioned.

in Figure 12, I show a modified form of engaging member. In thismodified form, an engaging member 61 has a clamping member 62 whichopposes it to resiliently clamp an electrode therebetween by anadjustable resilient mechanism, such as illustrated in connection withthe device of Figures 7 to 11, inclusive. However, the member 61 has anorifice 64 which corresponds to the orifice 29 of the electrode-engagingmember 27 in the preferred form of device shown in Figure 1. An arcuateor elongated slot 63 corresponds with the arcuate or elongated slot 34of the preferred form of device shown in Figure l and the internallythreaded pin 65' corresponds with the pin of the preferred form ofdevice shown in Figure 1. By using the modified engaging member shown inFigure 12, the gas discharge is not through a plurality of orifices,such as the orifices 55 in member 38, but rather the gas discharge isthrough the one orifice 64 which discharges in a direction which variesin accordance with the pivoting of the member 61 on the elongated member38 in much the same way that the direction of the orifice 29 is variedin the preferred form of the device shown in Figure 1. Similarly, theengaging member 61 incorporates the valving arrangement of the engagingmember 27 shown in the preferred form of device in Figure 1.

By substituting the clamping device made up of parts 61 and 62 for theparts 41 and 42, the discharge of gas is directed in the same way andthe discharge of gas is valved in the same way as described inconnection with the preferred form of the device shown in Figure l.

The present disclosure includes the description contained in theappended claims, as well asthat contained in the foregoing description.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand that numerous changes in details of construction and the combinationand arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. In electric arc apparatus, the combination of an electrode holdercomprising an elongated member having a handie portion and an armportion extending therefrom, an electrode engaging member pivotallycarried by said arm portion at a location spaced from said handleportion, a clamp carried by said elongated member for holding anelectrode in engagement with said engaging member, electric conductingmeans carried by said elongated member for conducting current to saidelectrode engaging member, conduit means carr'ed by said elongatedmember and adapted to conduct gas forwardly along said arm portion, saidarm portion and said engaging member having mating surfaces in sealingcontact with each other and slidable relative to each other upon pivotalmovement of the engaging member relative to the arm portion, said armportion having an opening disposed in the respective mating surface ofthe arm portion communicating with said conduit means, said engagingmember having an orifice in a wall thereof for discharge of gas in adirection relative to an electrode held by said engaging memberdependent upon the pivoted position of t e engaging member relative tosaid arm portion, said engaging member having an arcuate slot disposedin the respective mating surface of the engaging member, said slotcommunicating with said orifice, the circle coinciding with said slothaving a solid portion intermediate the ends of said slot at saidrespective mating surface of the engaging portion, said slotcommunicating with the said opening in the arm portion in some pivotedpositions of the engaging member to provide for flow of gas from saidconduit means to said orifice in said some pivoted positions, said soiidportion closing said opening in the arm portion in other pivotedpositions of the engaging member to prevent the flow of gas from saidconduit means to said orifice in said other pivoted positions.

2. In electric arc apparatus utilizing an electric arc and a gas streamfor removing metal from a metallic body, the combination of an elongatedmember, an electrode engaging member, pivot means pivotally carried bysaid elongated member for pivotally mounting said engaging memher topermit pivotal movement of said engaging member relative to theelongated member, said engaging member having portions arranged toembrace an electrode to cause said engaging member to pivot with theelectrode upon swinging the said electrode in an arc, orifice meansarranged for directing a gas stream along an axis related to the axis ofsaid electrode, said orifice means being carried by said engagingmember, conduit means carried by said elongated member for conductinggas to said orifice means, and valve means operable by pivoted movementof said engaging member, said valve means being interposed between saidconduit means and said orifice means for controlling the flow of gastherebetween, said valve means including mating surfaces slidablymovable relative to each other and a first port and a second port insaid surfaces, disposition of said ports in communication permittingflow of gas through said valve means and disposition of said ports outof communication blocking flow of gas through said valve means, one ofsaid ports having such size relative to the other port as to be disposedin communication with the other said port throughout a first range ofsliding movement between said mating surfaces and as to be disposed outof communication with the other said port throughout a second range ofsliding movement between said mating surfaces, the said first rangecorresponding to an arc through which an electrode engaged by saidengagin member may be swung on said pivot means for discharge of gasthrough said orifice means and said second range corresponding to aposition to which said electrode may be swung for termination of saiddischarge of gas.

3. An electrode holder for electric arc apparatus comprising anelongated member, said elongated member having a gas conduit carriedthereby, said gas conduit having an outlet opening on a side of saidelongated member, an electrode-engaging member pivotally carried by saidelongated member at said outlet opening to cover the same, saidelectrode-engaging member having a gasdischarge orifice oriented todirect a stream of gas substantially longitudinally of an electrodecarried by the holder, said electrode-engaging means having a portcommunicating with said orifice and facing said elongated member, saidport extending over an arcuate range greater than the arcuate extent ofsaid outlet opening to provide for continued communication between saidoutlet opening and said port through a range of pivotal movement of saidengaging member in varied angular positioning of an electrode carried bythe holder, said electrode-engaging member having a portion blockingsaid outlet opening upon pivotal movement of the electrodeengagingmember to a position other than in said arcuate range to limit andthrottle flow of gas from said outlet opening, and holding means forholding an electrode to said electrode-engaging member to pivot the sameby swinging said electrode.

4. An electrode holder for electric arc apparatus comprising a firstmember, a second member pivotally carried by said first member forholding an electrode along a predetermined first axis, a third membercarried by said holder for resiliently clamping said electrode to saidsecond member, gas-discharge means carried by said second member fordischarging a stream of gas along a second axis related to said firstaxis, conduit means carried by said first member for conducting gas tosaid second member, and valve means carried by said holder andoperatively positioned to control the flow of gas between said conduitmeans and gas-discharge means, said valve means including opposed portsin said first member and second member arranged to remain in fullcommunication through a substantial range of pivotal movement of saidsecond member relative to said first member and to be out or"communication at a position other than in said range, said arrangementproviding for discharge of gas through said gas-discharge means at aplurality of angular positions of the electrode carried by the secondmember in said range and to terminate such discharge of gas at anangular position of said electrode other than in said range.

5. In an electrode holder utilizing a gas stream, the improvement of anelectrode-engaging member having a gas-discharge orifice therein, asupport member having an outlet therein to which gas is supplied, saidoutlet facing said electrode-engaging member, pivot means connectingsaid electrode-engaging member and support member to permit pivotalmovement of the electrodeengaging member relative to the support member,said electrode-engaging member having a port communicating with saidorifice and facing said support member, said port being arrangedrelative to said pivot means to communicate with said outlet at somepivotal positions of the electrode-engaging member but not at otherpivotal positions, said electrode-engaging member blocking said outletat said other pivotal positions.

. 6. In an electrode holder utilizing a gas stream, the

improvement of an electrode engaging member, a support member, pivotmeans connecting the engaging memher and support member, gas dischargemeans carried by the holder, and valve means for turning on and oil thefiow of gas to said gas discharge means, said valve means comprisingport means and shut-off means arranged around the axis of said pivotmeans to move relative to each other upon pivotal movement of saidengaging member relative to said support member.

7. An electrode holder in electrical apparatus comprising a first memberhaving an outlet opening to which gas is supplied, a second membermounted to said first member, a third member carried by said secondmember and arranged to accommodate an electrode between said thirdmember and said second member, resilient means biasing said second andthird member relative to each other to yieldingly hold a said electrode,pivot means interconnecting said first member and second member, gasdischarge means carried by the holder for directing a stream of gas foruse in conjunction with use of said electrode, and valve means carriedby'the holder and arranged relative to the pivot means as to be operatedby pivotal movement of the second member relative to the first member,said valve means including first means to provide communication betweensaid outlet opening and said gas discharge means through a limited rangeof pivoted movement of said second member and second means to blockcommunication between said outlet opening and said discharge means at apivoted position of said second member other than in said range.

8. An electrode holder in electrical apparatus comprising a first memberhaving an outlet opening to which gas is supplied, a second membermounted to said first member, a third member carried by said secondmember and arranged to accommodate an electrode between said thirdmember and said second member, resilient means biasing said second andthird member relative to each other to yieldingly hold a said electrode,pivot means interconnecting said first member and second member, saidfirst member having a plurality of gas discharge orifices extending at aplurality of angles, respectively, therefrom, and a valve memberextending from said second member concentric with said pivot means tocontrol communication between said outlet opening and a selected one ofsaid orifices and to terminate such communication, pivoting of saidsecond and third members relative to said first member to determinedpivoted positions operating said valve member to permit gas to flowthrough a selected one of said orifices and pivoting of said second andthird members relative to said first member to other than saiddetermined pivoted positions operating said valve member to cause saidflow to terminate.

References Cited-in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

